that is why i stand in strong support of senator rubio's senate concurrent resolution 50. the u.s. is united in its opposition to international control over internet governance, and we have seen leadership pushing back against ceding more power to international telecommunications union, referred to as the i.t.u., a branch of the united nations. and some want to give it new powers. several countries see the internet as a tool for political and/or economic control that they want to exploit. for example, russia's putin has openly stated his intention to seek, and i'm quoting, international control over the internet using the monitoring and supervisory capabilities of the i.t.u., end quote. and just last week, the syrian government shut off internet access as the regime sought top suppress the free exchange of information among its private citizens. but it's because the internet is the ultimate tool of political and economic liberation that we should foster and protect it, not give those who fear its impact on politics and the economy the power to repress its continued innovation and u